Page 56 of Reign

19

Callie

The letter strikes me as unceremonious.

You’d think, with all I’ve endured up to this point, the final communication from the Virtues would be accompanied by an obvious, robed Falyn, or heck, delivered by a live raven or the queen herself.

But no. A single piece of expensive paper props itself up in a standing fold on my desk, unimposing, the thick, expensive paper a normal occurrence at this point, the single white rose accompanying it expected.

I’m predicting the script on the inside flap before my backpack hits the floor and head toward my desk. My damp hair drips the last of the pool’s rivulets down my shoulders, Eden’s first swim lesson mainly consisting of me dunking no further than my chin while I hovered in the shallow end.

My swim failure aside, I figure this note contains something along the lines of: your ritual rites are complete, thus, you shall be robed. That is, if you’re prepared for a Virtuous future or some other ominous language.

What I’m not prepared for is the black rose beside it.

Fingering the white satin ribbon, I lift the rose, bringing the ink-dipped petals to my nose and inhaling the sweet, slightly chemical scent. I haven’t received one of these in so long, I’d forgotten they were a thing—but they must be how the Nobles communicate, too. I received a black rose when new furniture arrived in my dorm, along with an undamaged uniform. One appeared on my bed after a particularly haggard day. These petals made an appearance whenever I needed a right amid such wrongs. Part of me assumed—okay, hoped—they were from Chase, his secret Noble communication assuring me he had my back, though he never confirmed it.

But it couldn’t be him, not this time. He’s made his feelings on me becoming a Virtue clear. This must be their official acceptance of my robing, meaning they’ll probably be attending as well.

Chase will be there.

The realization skitters along the edges of my skull, spreading goosebumps and inciting angst. He’ll be watching me and I’m positive I’ll feel his disapproval all the way to my toes.

But it’s not about him, anymore, or us. This is about my mother and all the other girls who’ve been hurt, maimed, and killed by this so-called society of Virtuous women.

After carefully setting down the rose, I ignore the white one and move to the letter, opening its crisp fold and reading the perfect calligraphy.

Dearest Initiate, as you receive this letter, you’ve been granted the highest honor. Passing our trials is no small feat and congratulations are in order. Please join us at our temple on the eve of Friday the 16th where it will be my greatest pleasure to lay a Virtuous robe upon your shoulders.

- Your Queen

“Wow,” I say under my breath as I close the letter. She actually signed it this time.

“So it’s official, then.”

I turn to see Emma hovering in my doorway.

“Sabine’s accepted you,” she finishes.

Nodding, I set the letter back on the desk. “Am I supposed to pretend that you waited patiently in the other room all this time while I was with Eden and didn’t read this?”

“Nope, I totally snooped.” Emma steps inside my room then sits on the side of my bed. “Missed the drop-off, though.”

“Everyone always does,” I muse, then slide off my jacket and perch on the desk chair. “For all we know there are secret corridors into all the dorm rooms, too.”

Emma shivers. “Don’t put that into the universe.”

I respond with a commiserating grunt. “I can’t stand the thought of Falyn watching me while I sleep, either.”

“Are you ready for the next step?” she asks.

“As I’ll ever be. Unless you have some last-minute wisdom to impart?”

Emma pushes her lower lip out in thought. “I don’t know much about robing a senior. We’re usually initiated freshman year, and it always occurs in the forest near Lover’s Leap. The fact you’re asked to come to the temple is already unusual.”

“Yeah.” Emma’s words bring me back to my first day at Briarcliff when I stumbled blindly behind Richardson House and almost tripped over a Noble and Virtue initiate ceremony. Back then, I was stupid, thinking it was a creepy Wiccan extra-curricular rich kids enjoyed dabbling in.

Now, people are dead.

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